Mourinho confident of ending jinx

Jose Mourinho claims he is not losing any sleep over the fact that his Real Madrid team come up against a side, in Lyon, who have never lost to the Spanish team.

Real have faced Lyon in six matches in the Champions League over the last five years - losing all three of their away games - and were eliminated by the French side in the first knockout round last year.

But now, Mourinho believes his side know all about their European opposition.

"I am not losing sleep over Lyon or any other team," Mourinho said. "Ever since we drew Lyon, we have been studying and learning about them."

Lyon reached the semi-finals of the competition for the first time last season, but despite the fact that Madrid have won the trophy a record nine times, they have not fared well in recent years - with their last triumph coming in 2002.

''It's been years since Madrid made it (to the quarter-finals), and it's because they have never beaten Lyon," Mourinho added.

Once again, the attention will be focused on former Lyon striker Karim Benzema, as he returns to his old club. Last year's defeat is still fresh in the memory for the striker, who thinks things will be different this time around.

"If I'm lucky enough to play I will do everything I can," Benzema said. "This match will be different to last year. Our team has changed ... I think we are going to defeat Lyon and win the Champions League."

But Cristiano Ronaldo thinks that it will be Mourinho who will make the difference in the tie.

''This year we are going to beat them (Lyon), God willing. This year is going
go be totally different,'' said Ronaldo. ''The coach has a lot of experience and he knows what to do to win.

''We'll go out onto the pitch knowing that Lyon are a very difficult team, but
I'm convinced that this year we are finally going to reach the
quarter-finals.''

Lyon will have to do without their star striker, Lisandro Lopez, after he suffered a hamstring injury during training on Thursday.

"You have to respect the player," said Lyon boss Claude Puel. "He is injured and it's a handicap for us."

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris believes his side will once
again be underdogs this time around but is confident they will give a good
account of themselves.

The 24-year-old told L'Equipe: ''If everybody plays to his true level, we will
see the beautiful Lyon.

''Faced with a great team like Real, we know that by giving 200% we are not
even sure of the result. They are a favourite for the Champions League. And we
are an obstacle for Real. We hope to cause an upset.''